Sights, sounds of UGA football are back in Athens with new faces, COVID-19 protocol
The blistering Southern heat will beam down on the Woodruff Practice Fields throughout Monday afternoon. It’ll feel different than any of the recent summer days because the Georgia football team will be practicing on its long-isolated turf for the first time in nearly eight months.
Georgia’s spring practices were wiped out when the COVID-19 pandemic began in March. UGA football players have been on campus since the beginning of June, but only engaged in conditioning, weightlifting and walk-through sessions (which head coach Kirby Smart likened to a mini camp in the NFL). No helmets have been donned, until now.
The anticipated and welcomed atmosphere of college football arrives in Athens on Monday — even the aromas of sweat and sounds of stern shouting from coaches will bring joy to the Bulldogs.
“Obviously, it’s not like any other camp that I’ve been a part of. I’m just ready to play football and have my teammates making plays,” Georgia senior safety Richard LeCounte said, who decided to return to the program despite a viable NFL Draft option. “That’ll be like having it back to normal. I’m here to work and we’re on the same mission.”
Georgia head athletic trainer Ron Courson on Aug. 7 told reporters that the Bulldogs have an extensive set of protocols to mitigate risks amid the coronavirus pandemic. There will be up to three tests given to players each game game week — two PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and one rapid test before boarding the plane for travel. There’s also an opportunity to test players on the road during hotel stays, and a 10-day quarantine is mandated in the event of a positive test.
Fall seasons have been postponed in numerous leagues, including the Big Ten and Pac-12. Those leagues cited uncertainty as a driving force for postponement, but the SEC, Big 12 and ACC have held firm on their plans to continue playing. On Monday, the SEC will release dates for its 10-game conference-only slate. The season is scheduled to begin on Sept. 26, after a 40-day preseason practice period.
“They have a plan for these issues,” Smart said, affirming his confidence in SEC commissioner Greg Sankey. “They’ve had a plan for everything that’s come up and they’ve done a really good job of being able to adjust on the run. They do a great job of addressing these things. They’re the experts. My faith, trust and confidence goes into those medical groups, goes into cardiologists, goes into doctors.
“Inevitably we feel like we’re going to have a game. Whenever that is, we’re comfortable with it.”
Georgia enters preseason camp with the benefit of a full roster. No one has opted out of the season with COVID-19 concerns, per Smart, and the only setbacks are a handful of injuries. Before the pandemic, Georgia had an itch to return to competition after losing consecutive SEC championship games and beating Baylor in the Sugar Bowl as a consolation.
Those feelings are still there. The Bulldogs return most of their starters on defense, and UGA added four 5-star signees in the 2020 recruiting class. An offensive reboot awaits with a five-deep quarterback competition under new coordinator Todd Monken. Two of those QBs are high-profile transfers Jamie Newman (Wake Forest) and J.T. Daniels (Southern Cal).
Georgia players feel confident in how they’ve remained safe through a lockdown and a bubble-like workout system.
“If we aren’t doing the right things, there won’t be a season,” senior cornerback Eric Stokes said. “I know for a fact that everybody on this team wants a season. We’ll do everything in our power to make sure we can.”
Georgia’s current “bubble” for its football team looks something like this: frequent temperature checks; players spaced six feet apart from each other in meetings; some visits occurring virtually while larger gatherings either take place in the indoor practice facility or at Stegeman Coliseum.
Once a player leaves the athletic buildings, Georgia receives a notice if a player is caught without a mask. They’re disciplined by a coach or teammate.
Smart assures that won’t change once a large student body returns for classes on Thursday. The players have agreed to make good choices and speak out against those not practicing safety, whether general students make different decisions or not.
The players are ready to see it pay off and result in an on-time kickoff by late September.
“There’s not much uncertainty here. We all feel confident,” Stokes said. “Everyone is safe here. If you go home, anything can happen and it could be a lot more dangerous.”
Said Courson on the potential of a season, “If I didn’t feel it was safe for them to be out here, they wouldn’t be out there now.”
For Georgia, safety and transparency among its players have been prioritized. All concerns have been voiced, and the players don’t feel at risk to play this fall.
Now, it’s a return to football. Georgia can’t wait to get back on its turf.
“We came here to get the job done,” LeCounte said. “We’re taking every precaution to stay safe and keep the season going.”
This story was originally published August 17, 2020 at 8:15 AM.